Pros and Cons of Living in Sudbury, Ontario


If you are a lover of nature and picturesque scenery, you would fall in love with Sudbury at first sight. A small town with a big city vibe, Sudbury boasts of being the largest city in Northern Ontario with a population of over 160 thousand people.

Located in Northeastern Ontario, the city is the 24th largest metropolitan area in Canada. Besides its breathtaking outdoor pleasures, the area has plenty of open space, freshwater lakes, pristine forests, recreational facilities, and real estate opportunities.

So, if you are considering moving to Sudbury, Ontario, you are in the right place. Here are some of the really cool and not-so-good things you need to know before relocating to Sudbury.

PROS

1. Outdoor Life

Sudbury has a population density of 49.3 people per square kilometer, making it one of the largest municipalities by area in Canada.

Thus, it offers a unique Northern lifestyle and a superb quality of life unparalleled anywhere else. In addition to a large urban area, there are many smaller communities situated among 300 lakes.

Sudbury, located about 400 km north of Toronto, is surrounded by lakes and wilderness, making it a perfect place to live if you are an outdoor enthusiast.

In a place known as one of the sunniest in Canada, Sudbury is a great place to golf, ski, hike, bike, camp, hunt, fish, kayak, and boat.

2. Thriving Economy

In addition to being one of the warmest and most diverse communities in Canada, Greater Sudbury is striving to be one of the smartest, greenest, and most sustainable cities.

The Greater Sudbury economy has tracked the boom and bust cycles of the mining industry since the discovery of rich mineral deposits in the late 1800s.

In recent years, the economy has diversified and the city has become a major hub for the northwestern part of Ontario.

In today’s competitive market, Greater Sudbury is a major shopping destination across the northeastern Ontario region, serving consumers across a wide catchment area.

The city’s economy is reliant on entrepreneurship, with over 9,000 small and medium businesses operating. In addition, Sudbury is home to the Northern Ontario Film Studios, which has a 20,000 square foot stage with all the equipment for production.

3. Education Opportunities

This city, which has a population of approximately 160,000, is a hub of education and healthcare for northeastern Ontario.

The city is home to two colleges and Laurentian University, which has a new medical school and an architecture school under construction.

There are many educational options for students in Greater Sudbury, from elementary to university. In Sudbury, as in other parts of Canada, pursuing education and lifelong learning is highly valued.

One of the world’s top two colleges is located in Sudbury, along with a renowned bilingual university and Canada’s first new medical school in three decades. Some of which include:

4. Healthcare

As a result of Sudbury’s rapid growth in the medical sector, it has become a regional resource and referral center for the people of Northeastern Ontario.

This facility offers quality hospital-based health care to patients throughout the region and a number of programs in the community are designed to ensure a healthy population.

A CBC article reports Greater Sudbury to have slightly more than 115 family physicians, which is a sufficient number to meet the needs of its population.

Additionally, the hospital serves over 600,000 people throughout Northern Ontario.

5. Social Life and Recreation

Additionally, the city offers several dining options and cuisines, along with diverse bars, live music, dancing, and entertainment. If you eventually decide to move to Sudbury, make sure you attend Northern Lights Folk Festival, Canada’s longest and most established outdoor music festival. You would love it!

With the variety of our seasons, Sudburians are able to enjoy a wide range of events, festivals, and recreational activities that change with the seasons.

The region has a lot of facilities, fitness programs, sports programs, arts and crafts, computer learning opportunities, local sporting associations, and news about local sports.

In addition to its open space, it is known for its pristine forests, freshwater lakes, parks and recreational facilities.

Greater Sudbury, which is surrounded by the Boreal Forest, contains more lakes than any other municipality in Canada, with 330 freshwater lakes within its municipal boundaries.

CONS

1. Not a Walkable City

Here’s the thing. Having amalgamated from several smaller cities to form one giant city, Sudbury is so spread out.

So, it is built around rocks, lakes, and mining factories making it hard to drive around the city. It’s not built on a grid pattern like other regular cities. Hence, this might be a cause of frustration for some people.

2. Smoke Stack

Do you know that Sudbury has a huge smoke stack? In fact, the only one bigger than Sudbury’s is in Russia. Most people consider this as a huge pain point as there are health risks and population concerns.

However, the city has spent the last 45 years revitalizing their space to ensure a safe and greener community. 

Sudbury used to be the home of rocks – a barren place filled with a huge pile of valleys. But in the last couple of years, there has been a great move towards greener infrastructure and environmentally-friendly solutions. 

And yeah, the smoke stack is no longer in use!

3. Icy Winter

Ask the locals, it is not uncommon to have a winter day with up to -25 degree or even lower.

If you love long icy winter days, then you should just catch the next flight to Sudbury already. But if you would have issues with the cold, then you might want to think again.

Is Sudbury a good place to live?

There is a lot to enjoy in the vibrant city of Sudbury. From its amazing views to its bubbling social life and thriving economy, there is no doubt that this city is a great place to live.

However, if you can cope with driving in swirls and cold icy days, then you are good to go!

Recent Posts